ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Beat Bakersfield 6-2; Home Again Saturday

February 6, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (21-18-4-3) defeated the Bakersfield Condors 6-2 Friday night at Maverik Center before 5,094 fans.

"Obviously the boys played really well tonight," said Head Coach Tim Branham. "They played a solid game. It was important to have a response to the last two losses we've had. Everyone played the right way. Everyone contributed. It was good to see."

Utah built a 3-0 lead after one period as Michael Pelech (22) got the scoring started 6:02 in as he hammered in a rebound on a Jacob Johnston blast on the power-play. "We had a great start there," said Johnston. "We were moving our feet and drew that penalty. It's important to capitalize on a power play. So it's really good we got that first one." Alex Krushelnyski also picked up an assist on the play.

Mathieu Aubin (16) made it 2-0 with 5 minutes left in the second period as he knocked in a cross ice pass from Barry Almeida. Patrick Wellar added a helper too. HT Lenz (7) made it 3-0 shorthanded as Bakersfield goaltender Frans Tuohimaa came out to play the puck and Lenz walked it into an empty net with 15 seconds left in the first.

"When we outwork the opposition there is no way to stop us," said Branham. "The boys are really confident and obviously putting the puck in the back of the net 6 times helps. We got rewarded for playing the right way. When you played the right way you get scoring chances and we buried them."

The Grizzlies went up 4-0 3:35 into the second period as Mathieu Aubin (17) ripped a shot from the left circle as Almeida and Pelech drew assists. The Condors made it 4-2 with two goals in 67 seconds at 8:08 and 9:15, but after a Tim Branham timeout, Igor Bobkov stopped 4-straight to finish the period.

Utah made it 5-2 as Johnnie Searfoss skated in from the neutral zone and backhanded home his third of the year with 9:15 left in regulation. The scoring was capped by Pelech's second goal of the night with one minute left.

Michael Pelech and Mathieu Aubin each with two goals and one assist and Barry Almeida with three assists all had three points on their first night playing on the same line.

"It was good to see those guys have good chemistry," said Branham on Almeida, Pelech and Aubin. "Almeida was passing the puck well tonight and obviously the other two guys were finishing. Our best players have to be our best players. When they're going, we're good."

HT Lenz also had multiple-points with one goal and one assist. "We know they're chasing us for the last playoff spot," said Lenz. "They're gonna be hungry after that last game so we're gonna be ready to go again tomorrow."

Grizzlies goaltender Igor Bobkov stopped 21 of 23 to improve to 6-4-1-0.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 6, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central